Sorry guys, it's "Snoozer Sunday", and these are some real lame-os from August, 1966. Sure, I could just not post them ever, but that's just not my style.
From the deck of the Mark Twain we look down on the shore of Tom Sawyer Island, incredibly lush and green. That guy on the rocks might be taking our picture while we're taking his. I don't see any people on Castle Rock, strangely - usually there is a traffic jam on the way up. The sails of the Columbia loom over almost everything except for Cascade Peak.
Aaaaannnnd... it's a typical view of the African Veldt scene. Maybe it's atypical because it's not even a very good photo of it. One of the giraffe's has some leaves in its mouth, reminding me of the brontos in the Primeval World section of the Grand Canyon Diorama. To our left, the King of the Jungle is roaring obnoxiously over his sleeping zebra friend.
I do kind of wonder why those other zebras would just be hanging around, watching a member of their species be eaten. Wouldn't they be heading for the hills? Or the grasslands? Or wherever zebras hang out.
ReplyDeleteIn that first pic, we can see Mr. White Shorts, trying to do his impression of the man from the Ricola commercial.
This picture makes it seem as if you used to be able to see the Columbia traveling past the other side of the Island from the Mark Twain (or vice-versa). I'm guessing that now you can just get a glimpse of the other watercraft through the trees. Not sure though
ReplyDeleteI think the lion is trying to wake up his colleague, Frank. If that guy gets caught napping on the job one more time he’s dead meat.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, the Columbia is so tall that its masts are still visible from the other side of the island even today.
Whoops! I meant “the Columbia.”
ReplyDeleteThe snoozer photos are always the best! That wee little detail of the top of the Jungle Cruise is enough to take me back 50 years. I much prefer the "African Queen" red and white stripe look to the "Safari"look of today...but I suppose I could say that about a lot of things. It was always amazing to see the jungle take over the jungle- when the landscaping team had to get involved in nature's course. I thought the same thing about that giraffe chewing that same piece of plastic for years like Mr. Dinosaur in Primeval World. The simplicity of the Jungle Cruise almost 70 years later is commendable. I just took a tour of Yesterland- some things came and went very quickly. OK...now bring back the PeopleMover- or at the very least bring it back to at least a transportation system from the parking lot. "Ideas".
ReplyDeleteMajor-
ReplyDeleteI'm with TM! on the Ricola thing. And the 2nd image isn't a total loss - that silvery/gray clip affixed to the overhead canopy support pole is the mounting bracket for the skippers' push-to-talk microphone. (And if it's a Shure... then it's probably a #RK6MB).
Thanks, Major.
Bu, your idea of at least bringing back the PeopleMover as transportation from the parking lot is a great idea! Us Junior Gorillas would probably ride that thing for hours....car to entrance to car to entrance to car to entrance....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Major! Snoozer Sundays are always fun..they always bring out the best humor from your team. I’m also now waiting for a skipper to share some spiel...
Major, we’ve said it before, there’s no picture of old Disneyland that’s unworthy of posting. The Junior Gorillas “ooh” and “aah” over pictures of trash cans, parking lot light poles, and now, microphone brackets. Anything is grist for the mill of memory.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, the Island is narrowest at the Castle Rock area, and there are are no (or few) trees there either, it might still be possible to replicate today’s picture.
A peoplemover in the parking lots would be brilliant, have it go out around to all the parking lots. The current regime will never do that since it would benefit companies other than Disney.
The giraffe and the dinosaur are probably the same animatronic skeleton with different skin pulled over.
A fun Sunday, Major. Thank you.
JG
Wow! Water, trees, sky clouds, critters and even a boat!! Amazing photos!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOk, ok... maybe not really amazing but still enjoyable on a quiet Sunday morning. :)
They were probably removing the bodies from Castle Rock.
ReplyDeleteIt was so cool....
They'd never get away with it now.
Whoa, I didn’t expect 10 comments on these “meh” pictures! Will wonders never cease?
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I guess those zebras are like people who drive slowly past a car accident - they’re just weirdly curious to see some gore! Riiii-colaaaa….!
Andrew, I think you could see at least part of the Columbia from the other side of the island, though I believe that it would greatly depend on where you were and where the Columbia was. There are many shots from the Plaza in which you can see the tops of the Columbia’s masts when the photo is toward Frontierland.
Chuck, your comment made me think of those Loony Tunes with Sam the sheepdog and Ralph the wolf. “Morning, Sam”. “Morning, Ralph”.
Chuck, are you sure you don’t mean the Columbia?
Bu, I’m with you, I prefer the look of the old Jungle Cruise launches with their striped awnings. I understand the thinking as far as aging the boats, but what can I say, I like the traditional appearance. Other people’s mileage may vary. The dinosaur chomping on that water weed in Primeval World reminds me of a scene in “Fantasia”, I’ve always wondered if the same animator who worked on that 1940 film went on to be an Imagineer? From everything I’ve read, it doesn’t sound likely that we’ll ever get a PeopleMover back, sadly.
Nanook, ha ha, you are the expert on vintage automobiles - and vintage microphones. I’m sure you’ve mentioned how you became so knowledgeable about the mics, but I have forgotten.
Lou and Sue, wouldn’t it be great it they really did use the PeopleMover as transportation between Disneyland and DCA, or even as an alternative to the Disneyland Hotel? Like you said, I’d ride it just for the scenery (and the chance to rest my feet). I think that is going to remain a dream, though.
JG, I dunno, when I scan yet another photo of the Mark Twain, however nice, there’s a part of my brain that wants to scream. That’s no reflection on the actual attraction, I just run out of things to say about such photos after 15+ years. And yes, at this point I am much more appreciative of things like trash cans and microphone brackets! A parking lot PeopleMover is a fun idea, but how would they get the people from “up there” to “down there”? Maybe spiral slides?? Maybe there’s actually a fully-realized giraffe beneath the brontosaurus skin!
Grant, ha ha, I appreciate your enthusiasm!
Stu29573, don’t worry, those bodies were just unconscious people. They were frightened by the mysterious monster said to roam around Cascade Peak.
Idea...expensive one...the "new" PeopleMover: board at parking area...takes you on a 45 minute (or longer) loop of Disneyland, the Disneyland Hotel..and that other place named after a state...a little preview of everything...Cars are traditional PeopleMover, but track and vehicles are painted "Disneyland Green" so that it disappears and doesn't interrupt show. I forget who had the dream of going down Main St. on the upper level- but that is there too...and some exciting tunnels that perhaps you see "previews of coming attractions...or Yesterland attractions"...perhaps it goes side by side by the Disneyland RR...inside attractions that it can be inconspicuous...or conspicuous...and the best part: a separate ticket where you don't have to pay for an entire day...so like a "toll road" of sorts- pays for itself after 50-75 years or so...I can dream...
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny, Major - I was actually thinking about those cartoons when I wrote my comment.
ReplyDeleteBu, if I could re-dream that dream, I’d try to change the ride vehicles to PeopleMovers (PeopleMovi ?).
The last picture reminds me of a subdivision in Larue, Texas - "Safari Waters Ranch." It's 1,775 acres with homes - where zebras freely roam on everyone's property. My friends were there recently, staying at a relative's home, and said it was NICE! I've attached photos of those zebras HERE.
ReplyDeleteBu, I like your idea a lot! Although a 45 minute ride better include an on-board bathroom. Yes, that’s where my brain goes. I love the original colors of the PeopleMover so much that it’s hard to think of them all painted in “go away green”, but ultimately I’d take them if that’s what was required. On the other hand, as much as I’d like that bird’s eye view of Main Street, I don’t think a PeopleMover has a place in the 1890s. Just me! I wish the Disney brass was on board for more ideas like yours.
ReplyDeleteChuck, it’s strange to think that today’s generation of kids has to grow up without being familiar with all of those wonderful Warner Bros. cartoons. I suppose they need HBO Max (or it is HBO Plus, or HBO Go?) to watch those today.
Lou and Sue, gosh, I’ve never heard of Larue, Texas, or “Safari Waters Ranch”. Sounds cool/weird! Thanks for the photo link!